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Social Change | California

@calsocialchange

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Empowering communities through international film fests, policy work, legal clinics, food giveaways, & collaborative outreach in IL, GA, NC, CA, NY

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We’re thrilled to share that Joseph William Dunigan III @soonerjd21 has joined our Board of Directors!

A Chicago native, former professional baseball standout, and current Houston Astros Area Scout, Joseph brings athlete development expertise, mentorship, and equity-centered leadership to our mission. His journey from Saint Ignatius to the University of Oklahoma, to a decade-long professional career competing around the world, and now shaping the next generation of talent, embodies the grit, excellence, and community-minded leadership we champion.

We’re honored to have him help guide Social Change as we expand opportunity nationwide.

#socialchange #chisocialchange by @calsocialchange

The countdown is ON ⏳ #ChangeFest2025 is almost here—bringing the vibes, the voices, and the vision 🎥

Film guide and dates coming soon.

#film #music #movies #community #love #fest #chicago #filmfestival #entertainment #changefest #socialchange by @calsocialchange

🙌🏽✨Meet Luke, a 5th grader from Montana who chose our Executive Director, Todd Belcore, as his Hall of Heroes project!

As part of the assignment, Luke had to research a public figure creating impact, write a full paper, build a display, and present to his school and community. He chose Todd for his dedication to justice, community, and making real change.

Todd was so touched by Luke’s project that he gave him a call to personally thank him and sent over some Social Change shirts for the little bud to rock proudly.

This is what it’s all about, planting seeds that grow far beyond Chicago. Thank you, Luke, for the inspiration. 👀 Peep his homemade shirt 🥰

Special thanks to Luke’s mom Jenny for sending us this photo and giving us permission to share it! 📸💌 @wildwman

#socialchange #hallofheroes #youthinspired #realimpact #rippleeffect #community #love #chicago #montana by @calsocialchange

🏳️‍🌈Pride with Purpose 🏳️‍🌈This limited shirt collection is all about showing up for community and showing out with pride.

Comment 🏳️‍🌈 if you want to purchase one and we will send you the details! 🗣️📩Share with a friend you think will like one too!!

🌈 All proceeds support our work including LGBTQ+ rights-advancing.

#pride #2025 #lgbqt #lgbt #queer #love #community #gay #lesbian #nonbinary #bisexual #chicago #newyork #instagood #tshirts #fundraiser by @calsocialchange

To know him was to love him.

That’s why my heart goes out first to those who knew him best: his family and the Focus family @focusforhealth . The mutual love you all have for one another is so potent you could not just see it; you could feel it.

And Barry being the Giant he is, he was kind enough to share that love with everyone he came in contact with.

When you saw him smile, sat with him, chatted with him or heard about just how much injustice hurts him, his love for family, or his love for tennis or the good work of the thousands of soldiers for good he’s helped propel into battle, you didn’t just see or hear his words and enjoy being in his presence, you felt warm, you felt safe, you felt unjudged, you felt that, maybe, somehow someway, maybe you could be a superhero like him someday, too.

Barry’s power to love, inspire and give space to people who too often never received any of the above is why his passing has broken the hearts of people worldwide and why his loss is gentle and kind superhero.

While words may escape my ability to accurately describe my love for you and my pain, right now. Know that there is no honor greater than being able to have felt your love and for the honor of being able to do the work you loved in your name each and every day.
Peace be unto you,

Todd by @calsocialchange

📣 You want safety? Then stop punishing people forever. People can’t rebuild their lives if every door stays locked.

Let’s be clear—record clearance doesn’t erase accountability. It restores opportunity. It opens doors that should’ve never been slammed shut in the first place.

Because how can someone rebuild their life when every path forward is blocked?

When folks can get jobs, go back to school, and provide for their families, everyone wins. That’s not being soft—it’s being smart.

We need to stop confusing endless punishment with justice.

A second chance means a parent gets to work again. A student returns to class. A person finally moves forward without being defined by their worst mistake.

April is Second Chance Month—a time to remember what advocate Anthony Lowery always says:
Redemption is not a made-up word.

But too many systems still deny people who’ve done the work the chance to live full lives.
That’s why Social Change is out here year-round, hosting free legal and health clinics across the state.

In 2024 alone, our Second Chance Clinics helped 190 people and saved over $303,000 in court and legal fees.

Let’s stop confusing punishment with justice.

Second chances don’t just happen—they happen because we make them happen.

Volunteer. Share. Donate.
Break the cycle.

SocialChange.site/donate
#secondchance #secondchancemonth by @calsocialchange

Calling all changemakers! We’re hitting the ground running in Clayton County TOMORROW to make an impact in the special election!

We need folks for calls, door knocking, and texts & on Election Day, we’ll be out waving signs!

Join us! DM us or email socialchange@socialchange.site

#atl #georgia #ga #claytoncounty #GetOutTheVote #vote by @calsocialchange

In a world where someone with felony convictions can become president, it’s time to remove the barriers preventing people with convictions from running for office of any kind. And if they can serve, they should be able to vote.

That’s why our Social Change’s ED Todd Belcore is at the Georgia State Capitol today, joining the calls of leaders like Black Voters Matter @blackvotersmtr , organizations like IMAN @imanatlanta to remove all barriers to voting for people who have done their time and paid their debt to society.

We can’t talk about democracy while denying people a voice. Let’s change that.

You can help restore voting rights and remove barriers for people with convictions by:

✔️ Supporting Organizations – Donate to or volunteer with groups like :
Social Change @chisocialchange
Black Voters Matter @blackvotersmtr and IMAN @imanatlanta that are fighting for voting rights restoration.

✔️ Calling Your Legislators – Demand policy changes that eliminate restrictions on voting and running for office for people with convictions. Find your local reps and let them know this must change.

✔️ Educating & Mobilizing – Share the facts, raise awareness, and bring people into the movement. Many don’t even realize their voting rights can be restored.

✔️ Showing Up – Attend rallies, hearings, and press conferences to show that this issue matters. Lawmakers need to see and hear from the people.

✔️ Registering Impacted Voters – In some states, people with felony convictions already have the right to vote but don’t know it. Helping people check their status and register can make a massive difference.

🚨 Join the fight. Support the movement. Push for change. The right to vote should never be up for debate.

#voter #vote #justice #democracy #atlanta #blackvotersmatter #bhm #bvm #atl #chicago #community #election by @calsocialchange

If no one’s willing to trade places, then we all know the system isn’t fair. The real question is—what can we do to change it?

✊🏽 Black History Month isn’t just about reflection, it’s about action. At @chisocialchange, we’re turning awareness into action—fighting for justice, equity, and real solutions.

🗣️Change isn’t just history, it’s happening now. Join us. ✊🏾

🎥@drdavidjohns

#bhm #blackhistorymonth #socialchange #change #love #community #justice by @calsocialchange

🚜Our Executive Director, Todd Belcore and our director of rural and urban affairs Jess Joyner @farmingjess has been fully engaged at the 2025 From FOOD to FLOWERS: Everything Local Conference in Springfield IL.

This year’s conference is the largest-ever gathering focused on uniting all aspects of Illinois’ local and specialty crop supply chain. With over 80 exhibit hall vendors, 100+ speakers, networking opportunities, listening sessions, and hands-on workshops, this event is shaping the future of our local food systems.

They have spent the last three days learning from and collaborating with leaders invested in specialty and local food markets, engaging in breakout sessions, and exploring ways to strengthen food equity and economic opportunities in communities across the state. 🌱🚜

#foodjustice #food #farmers #blackfarmers #chicago by @calsocialchange

🥕🍓🍉 Fresh food, fresh starts, and a stronger community—this past year, our farmers’ markets and food giveaways made a real impact all over the country!

With Ascend Colab @ascend.il we made sure our legal clinics weren’t just about clearing records but also about nourishing communities in Chicago.

With BLACC @blacc_ahf and AHF @ahfsouth , we brought food and resources together, making sure families had access to both fresh groceries and the support they need they clothes and haircuts in Texas, California, and Florida.

Every event was about showing up for the community, making healthy food accessible, and creating real change.

Grateful for the partners and volunteers who made it happen—here’s to another year of impact!

Donate at www.socialchange.site to help us put more of these events on.

#socialchange #chicago #la #texas #food #farmersmarket #free #foodinsecurity #foodsecurity #eggs #milk #produce #love #community by @calsocialchange

Our hearts are heavy as we continue to witness the devastation caused by the recent fires in Los Angeles. The loss, displacement, and hardship experienced by so many are a stark reminder of how fragile and precious our communities are.

In light of these events, we have made the difficult decision to reschedule ChangeFest LA. This decision comes out of deep respect for those impacted and a commitment to ensuring that we focus our collective energy where it is needed most: supporting recovery, healing, and resilience.

ChangeFest has always been about amplifying voices, building community, and fostering hope. While this postponement is a temporary change, our mission remains steadfast. We will use this time to mobilize support, highlight stories of resilience, and engage in actions that uplift those affected by this tragedy.

Stay tuned for updates on the new date, and thank you for your understanding as we prioritize what matters most in this moment. Let’s continue to stand together, stronger than ever.

With love and solidarity,
Todd Belcore
Executive Director, Social Change &
Katherine @kaionthekeys Film Festival Director by @calsocialchange